Baby Levi
Donazione protetta
My name is Kelly LeGreve and I am lucky enough to be the teacher of Brooklyn, Levi’s 4 year-old sister. Please take a few minutes to read the following about Levi, written by his mother. He’s is fighting for his life and we can all help make life a little easier for this family. Thank you for taking time to read their story and consider giving anything you can.
When I was 23 weeks pregnant we got Levi's diagnosis of Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome or HLHS. This meant his left side of his heart, specifically his left ventricle did not develop properly. This is one of the most severe heart defects because the left ventricle is responsible for pumping blood to the body. Normal oxygen saturations are 98-100% but Levi is only at 78% right now, which is noticeable through his blue lips, finger, toes, cheeks, and nose. From 23 weeks on I had weekly appointments, sometimes up to 3 different appointments a week. This was very costly and required me to take off of work frequently.
We had a scheduled c-section at 39 weeks so that we could ensure Levi was born at Children's Hospital in the very best care. Levi got placed on my chest for about 10 seconds and then taken right to the NICU. I had some complications and could not get down to see him for 24 hours. Even then, I only got to hold him for 20 minutes, Dan not at all, and then he went to the CICU. Since he had a breathing tube we could not hold him at all and at 5 days old he went for his first open heart surgery. At about 2 weeks old he was finally recovered enough that we were able to hold him. However, he had several complications and we had to stay in the hospital until his second open heart surgery and finally made it home after 4 months in the hospital. Things were going well until he was 9 months old and stopped breathing one day. I had to perform CPR until the paramedics arrived and Levi was flighted to
Children's. For about an hour I did not know if my child was alive or not, and even then if he would be ok. Levi recovered, but he had a stroke and we were in the hospital for a week and a half. Since then, levi had been doing fairly well, but he is now in heart failure and requires oxygen 24/7. Due to his condition he is also 100% g-tube dependant and gets fed every 4 hours during the day and continuously overnight. He also has a medicine schedule and I had to give him lovenox injections twice a day for several months. Because of his needs I have not been able to return to work since he was born. We are now in the hospital to put him on the transplant list and will more than likely be here until he gets a heart. We also have 3 other children, ages 14, 7, and 5.
Despite all he has been through, I have people constantly asking if Levi is always so happy, and he is. He brings joy to everyone who meets him with his infectious smile and bright blue eyes. We are beyond thankful to all of the people Levi has touched who have offered so much to our family.
Levi checking into the hospital.
Brooklyn and Levi
When I was 23 weeks pregnant we got Levi's diagnosis of Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome or HLHS. This meant his left side of his heart, specifically his left ventricle did not develop properly. This is one of the most severe heart defects because the left ventricle is responsible for pumping blood to the body. Normal oxygen saturations are 98-100% but Levi is only at 78% right now, which is noticeable through his blue lips, finger, toes, cheeks, and nose. From 23 weeks on I had weekly appointments, sometimes up to 3 different appointments a week. This was very costly and required me to take off of work frequently.
We had a scheduled c-section at 39 weeks so that we could ensure Levi was born at Children's Hospital in the very best care. Levi got placed on my chest for about 10 seconds and then taken right to the NICU. I had some complications and could not get down to see him for 24 hours. Even then, I only got to hold him for 20 minutes, Dan not at all, and then he went to the CICU. Since he had a breathing tube we could not hold him at all and at 5 days old he went for his first open heart surgery. At about 2 weeks old he was finally recovered enough that we were able to hold him. However, he had several complications and we had to stay in the hospital until his second open heart surgery and finally made it home after 4 months in the hospital. Things were going well until he was 9 months old and stopped breathing one day. I had to perform CPR until the paramedics arrived and Levi was flighted to
Children's. For about an hour I did not know if my child was alive or not, and even then if he would be ok. Levi recovered, but he had a stroke and we were in the hospital for a week and a half. Since then, levi had been doing fairly well, but he is now in heart failure and requires oxygen 24/7. Due to his condition he is also 100% g-tube dependant and gets fed every 4 hours during the day and continuously overnight. He also has a medicine schedule and I had to give him lovenox injections twice a day for several months. Because of his needs I have not been able to return to work since he was born. We are now in the hospital to put him on the transplant list and will more than likely be here until he gets a heart. We also have 3 other children, ages 14, 7, and 5.
Despite all he has been through, I have people constantly asking if Levi is always so happy, and he is. He brings joy to everyone who meets him with his infectious smile and bright blue eyes. We are beyond thankful to all of the people Levi has touched who have offered so much to our family.
Levi checking into the hospital. Brooklyn and LeviOrganizzatore e beneficiario
Kelly Conklin LeGreve
Organizzatore
Theresa, WI
Karissa Kathleen Schwantes
Beneficiario